Gas filled tank



Aug. 15, 1932- o. H. ESCHHOLZ GAS FILLED TANK Filed Oct. 6. 1922 INVENTOR W S 0/70 H Each/7 2.

A'i'TOiilfL Patented Aug-"16, 1932- UNITED ISTATESI'PATIENT OFFICE one a. nscnnonz, or use,

,nac'rmc a mama comm, a conroaarzon or ramrmvam I can rnmnn rm museum can: a. ma. mm :6. mesa- M invention relates to tanks or containers and it has particular relation to tanks adapted to contain a liquid and a blanket of inert gas above theliquid. In the manufacture of tanks, of the character described, which are adapted to contain an oil-iinmersed electrical apparatus, such as transformers, circuit-breakers and the like, it has been customary in certain instances m to provide breathing vents for theurpose. of permitting the oil and air within t etank to expand and contract with changes in the tem rature thereof.

Difiicultyhas'been encountered with this [5 type of container for the reason that the oxygen contained in the air that was admitted to the interior of the tank through the breathing vent, carried with it a certain amount of moisture, which mingled with the oil and de- 3 creased the dielectric properties thereof. Furthermore, the oxygen in the air admitted to the tank combined with theoil and caused the decom osition thereof. 7 The oxi ation of the oil caused a viscous as deposit or sludge? that settled on the ap 'paratus and not only retarded the'radiation of heat therefrom but seriously impaired the circulation of the oil through the cooling system thereof. In the event that a short eirgo cuit oranare developed in the submerged agparatus, hydrogen and methane gases were li rated .from the insulating oil and combined with the ox gen in the air within the tank to form a b anket of highly explosive gas over the insulating oil. If a spark occurred within this gas during a shcrt-circui an ex losion of considerable force resul with t e consequent dangerto life and property' adjacent thereto. I

In order, therefore, to reduce this hazard, it has been suggested to seal the interior of the tank from the outside atmosphere, to provide suitable means for permitting the expansion and contraction of the oil through predetermined temperature ranges and to also replace the air contained in the tank by w an inert gas. This suggestion, while elimimatin the danger from explosion, presented the difliculty of replacing the air with s 50 and constructing the tank with hermetica ly sealed seams and bolted c over connections, to prevent the leaking into the tank through faulty seams.

In its broadest aspect, an object of my earths, to extract,the. oxygen from the iso lated atmosphere within a tank partially filled with a material that has a tendency to,

generate or liberate a gas orgases which,-

when combined with oxygen,- produce an' explosive mixture. 7

More specifically, an object of my invention is to provide a tank adapted to contain an oil-immersed electrical apparatus and an isolated atmosphere above the oil and which embodies d deoxidizing agent that is sealed within the tank for the purpose of removing the oxygen from the air and to leave a blanket of inert gas over the oil that has no tendency to cause the deterioration of t e oil or to form an explosive mixture by combining the gases given ofi by the oil.-

A further object vide an apparatus-of the employing a deoxidizing agent for pose specified, which during the process of oxidization, into a hygroscopic oxide that will absorbany moisture that ma be contained in the isolated atmosphere o the tank, subsequent to the closing thereof, and thereby preserve the dielectric qualities of the insulating oil.

the pur- With such objects in view, as well as other" advantages which may be incident to the subsequent escape of. the gas from the tank and the dilution'thereof by air of the invention is to pro character set forth,

rmmvmaassmnon r0 WIB'I'IIIGEOUBI will be transformed,

utilization of the improvement, the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set the particular constructions which, for the forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary shown may be imme rovi ed for the tank and is secured thereto 111 any preferred manner to prevent the out phosphorus pentoxide,

side atniosphere from obtaining access to the interior of the tank.

The main cover 3 of the tank is providedwith the usual manhole 4, and a cover 5 therefor, by means of which access may be readily obtained to the interior of the tank. A receptacle 6 is suitably secured to the manhole cover 5 and extends downwardly through the manhole 4 into the isolated atmosphere contained in the upper portion of the tank 1.

When the tank is and the cover 3 is secured in place, a deoxidizing agent 7, preferably embodying phosphorus in cartridge form, is placed within the receptacle 6, and the manhole cover 5 is then bolted in lace. The oxygen contained in the atmosp ere sealed within the tank above the oil is absorbed by the deoxidizing agent 7 leaving an inert nitrogen gas, which forms an isolated inert atmosphere over the oil. As the deoxidizing agent combines with the oxygen present in the original pocket of air, it is transformed into an oxide, such as P which is highly groscopic and absorbs any moisture that may contained in the inert gas blanket.

By means of the above described construction, a very eflicient gas-tight tank is obtained which embodies means for automatically generating an inert and relatively dry atmosphere Within the tank subsequent to the closing thereof, thus avoiding the disadvantages hereinbefore enumerated.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a casing for electrical apparatus adapted to be immersed in insulating liquid, and a space above said liquid for inert gas, of a liquid seal for isolating said space from the atmosphere under predetermined conditions and for permit ting communication therebetween under other conditions, and means for removing oxygen from such airlas may enter the tank through the liquid seal.

casing containing an'electrical apparatus, a body of combustible fluid in which said apparatus is immersed, and gases resulting from the combustion of material rsed. A main cover 3 is installed for operation other than said combustible fluid above said fluid body.

3. In combination, a tank, an insulating oilcontained in the tank, electrical apparatus contained in the tank immersed in said oil, an atmos here above the oil within the tank, a deoxi izing agent in contact with the a eoxidizing agent in contact with said at-' mosphere for removing the oxygen therefrom, whereby, the deterioration of the oil and the formation of an explosive mixture above the oil is prevented.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub-' scribed my name this second day of October, 1922.

OTTO H. ESCHHOLZ.

n combination, a tank, an insulating 

